Advocacy
Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, the largest non-profit community health center in the state of Oregon serves Washington and Yamhill counties. We understand the importance of using our collective voice in support of advocacy at the local, state, and federal level.
Vote to create healthy communities
Understanding WHO you are voting for is just as important as understanding WHAT their job will be if they get elected. Here are some resources to help you out:
What does the Governor do? Who is my State Representative and what is their role in Oregon Government? Get a look at some of the top roles both locally and across the state that you will be voting for in November.
Election Day key dates
October 19, 2022
Mail-In ballots go out to voters
October 18, 2022
Last day to register to vote. Registration cards postmarked by this date or submitted online no later than 11:59pm are valid
November 3, 2022
Last day absentee or replacement ballots are required to be mailed out to voters.
November 8, 2022
Election Day.
Last day for voter to return ballot. Ballots that are mailed must be postmarked by election day. Ballots deposited in an official drop box must be received by 8 pm on election day.
Farmworker Overtime (FOT)
HB 4002: Farmworker Overtime Pay passed in early 2022, formally being signed into law on April 15th, 2022. The new law will ensure that farmworkers receive overtime wages at 1.5 times the regular rate of pay through a five-year transition period beginning in 2023.
In order to inform farmworkers across Oregon about the new OT law, we need to spread the word.
Virginia Garcia has signed on to be part of the Farmworker Overtime Education Campaign and we need volunteers. If you would like to join us, check out the details below.
For more information :
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Advocacy Opportunity Ways to Get Involved with FOT
Additional resources:
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Through our partnerships with those in the community, we are able to offer migrant and seasonal farm workers and their families a variety of resources, including medical and dental services onsite utilizing their medical/dental van.
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Gun Safety - IP17
IP17 is an extensive initiative that targets gun violence through permitting, background checks, a required training course before being issues a weapon, limits magazine sizes and stops the sale, transfer or trade of high capacity magazines for civilian use.
For more information :
Advocacy Opportunity Ways to Get Involved with ip17
Additional resources:
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This organization is leading the passage of IP 17 and has coordinated with several other organizations in generating support. They list several ways to get involved on their website.
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In addition to supporting Lift Every Voice, they are encouraging folks to call their legislators. They have information on how to do that on their site.
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A national organization dedicated to ending gun violence. Made up of more than 8 million members, it is the largest gun safety advocacy group in the country.
340B Drug Pricing Program
The 340B Program is an essential source of support for Community Health Centers, and it is under attack. The 340B Program provides substantial cost savings to our patients for their medications. Those savings are re-invested into programs within Virginia Garcia that support the our patients and the communities where they live and work.
For more information :
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Advocacy Opportunity Ways to Get Involved with 340B
Additional resources:
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The Health Center Advocacy Network has made it easy to send a letter to your representative and advocate for affordable medication
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Join the health center movement and sign up Oregon Primary Care Association to get involved.
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Lift the Bar
The LIFT the BAR Act restores access to public programs like Medicaid, CHIP, and SNAP, by removing the five-year bar and other barriers that deny critical care and aid to people who are lawfully present and their families.
Virginia Garcia has signed on with Protecting Immigrant Families as a supporter of this legislation.
For more information :
Advocacy Opportunity Ways to Get Involved with Lift the bar
Additional resources:
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Take action today by sending a letter to your Member of Congress and tell them to co-sponsor the LIFT the BAR Act.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
It is important that everyone have a firm understanding of their rights. Below are articles and links to information and resources that will help you stay up-to-date on current events and activities.
How to Be Prepared for an Immigration Raid
For more resources, visit our Health Care Matters page. Given increased enforcement activity in recent months by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), ... Read More
Public Charge
As of March 9, 2021, the Trump-era Department of Homeland Security public charge regulations no longer exist or apply. All materials on this page have been updated to reflect current public charge policy guidance that went into effect in March 2021. This guidance makes it clear that the use of most public benefits programs, such as health, nutrition, and housing programs, will not have an impact on an individual’s immigration status. That includes, especially, testing, vaccination, and care for COVID-19...Read More
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) is still valid. It's difficult to predict how and when... Read More
ILRC "Preparedness Plan" worksheet
The ILRC offers a sample "preparedness plan" worksheet. It discusses a plan for minor children, and the right to request a hearing before an immigration judge if detained...Read Here
The ACLU "know your rights" material
The ACLU website also provides comprehensive "know your rights" material. Pages 1, 7,8, and 9, are the most relevant...Read Here
ILRC, free "red cards"
The ILRC (Immigrant Legal Resource Center) offers free "red cards" (know your rights cards), that can be ordered from the email provided on their website. Here is the direct link to ordering the cards...Read Here
Free Legal Advice ASESORÍA LEGAL GRATUITO
Immigration Counseling Service (ICS)
Immigration Counseling Service is a nonprofit immigration law firm, with offices in Hood River and Portland, and a monthly legal clinic in Central Oregon providing low-cost immigration legal services, outreach, and education Oregon and Southwest Washington. ... Read More
Address: 519 SW Park Ave, Ste. 610
Portland, OR 97205
Phone: 503.221.1689
Programs offered: Legal Services, Unaccompanied Minor, Social Services, and Client Resources
Languages: English & Español
Lutheran Community Services Northwest
The Immigration Counseling and Advocacy Program of Lutheran Community Services Northwest provides immigration services to refugees, asylees and immigrants. We offer affordable legal assistance in family-based immigration petitions such as Adjustment of Status, Family Reunification and Naturalization... Read More
605 SE Cesar E. Chavez Blvd., Portland, OR 97214
Tel: 503.731.9539
Fax: 503.233.0667
Programs offered: Asylum, Unaccompanied Minor, Cancellation
Languages: English & Español
3800 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Suite 288
Beaverton, OR 97005
Phone: 503.924.2448
Programs Offered: Immigration Counseling and Advocacy Program; Multicultural Counseling Services
435 NE Evans, Suite A
McMinnville, OR 97128
Phone: 503.472.020
Programs Offered: A Family Place Relief Nursery, Collaborative Home Services, Counseling Programs, Family Support and Connections, Healthy Families of Yamhill County, Healthy Relationships, Immigration Counseling and Advocacy, In-Home Safety and Reunification Services, Parent Education Classes, Safe Families for Child
Ways to Get Involved
Additional resources:
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(National Association of Community Health Centers) Check their website for ways to help you get involved.
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The National Immigration Law Center provides important information on immigration rights and is dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of low-income immigrants.
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Check out the Oregon State Legislature website to find out who represents you.
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Due to the results of the 2020 Census Oregon now has a new U.S House District 6 congressional seat. Check out how redistricting affects who represents you.
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One Oregon is a statewide coalition that defends against anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim policies and ballot measures and works to ensure that all Oregonians, regardless of country of birth, are treated with dignity and respect.
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National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) as an Advocacy Center of Excellence, Gold Level
Statement of Nonpartisanship
Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center (VGMHC) is a private, nonprofit organization recognized as exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. VGMHC’s mission is to provide high quality, comprehensive, and culturally appropriate primary health care to the communities of Washington and Yamhill counties with a special emphasis on migrant and seasonal farm workers and others with barriers to receiving health care.
VGMHC may take positions on or advocate with regard to public policy issues pertinent to its mission, consistent with the requirements of applicable Federal and Oregon law. However, VGMHC conducts all of its activities in an entirely nonpartisan manner. VGMHC may acknowledge the elected officials who support us, but we do not endorse, support, or oppose candidates for public office, nor do we intervene in any election on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate or political party.
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